170 
MINUTES OF PllQCEEDINGS OF 
a fire almost equivalent to vertical mortar fire, but much 
more accurate, being obtained. With a properly and 
specially made carriage, a gun in this position would also 
have a considerable chance of damaging a ship below the 
plating and water-line, on the side nearest to the gun. 
3. o. The gun itself could not be touched by the enemy's 
fire (/.) 
4. Consequently, little or no protection is required. 
5. q. And therefore much smaller expense incurred. 
6. r. Almost unlimited lateral range. 
7. s. The gun detachments never under fire, and con¬ 
sequently working cooler and more accurately—to say nothing 
of the saving in men. 
Disadvantages 
of gun a com¬ 
pared with 
gun 0 ). 
1. t. It is difficult to hit a ship with plunging fire, 
unless the range is accurately known. 
2. u. Its projectile strikes the vessel's plates at a small 
angle (I.) 
3. v. It is further from the ship. 
4. w. It cannot fire rapidly (see A, C.) 
5. x . Greater expense in the transport of projectiles 
and stores. 
6. y. It would be almost impracticable to hit a ship at 
night, if firing at random in its supposed direction, owing to 
its plunging fire. 
7. £. Owing to its height up the Rock, unless barracks 
are built there for gunners, it would not be so well kept in 
order as gun w, and (A) stands a chance of being infringed. 
The work expected from the low line of guns, therefore, 
Gener of low lna ? r g enerall y stated as being penetration, by directly 
lmeofguns!" striking the armour-plates ; and to aid this, the guns are 
considerably nearer their target than the high guns, and 
are capable of very rapid firing. They are also specially useful in 
opposing a night attack of iron-clad ships, which the higher guns are 
not capable of doing effectually. Their principal disadvantage is the 
very strong protection they require, and the consequent enormous 
expense of placing them in position. 
The object of the guns in high sites would be to sink 
Object of opposing ships by striking them in vulnerable parts, such 
m^ighsites 3 . as the deck; and to strike plates in reverse through the 
deck, which their great height, and consequent angle of 
depression, enables them to do with accuracy. They possess the great 
advantage of requiring no fort, no armour, no protection, in fact, and 
consequently cost but little to place in position. Their principal dis¬ 
advantage being slow fire, and the expense and labour of supplying 
them with projectiles. The necessity of this supply, however, ceases 
with the war, while the elaborate protections of the low guns require 
constant repair in peace as well as in action. 
